NEWS

MLR a significant boost to U.S. competitiveness – Gold

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Coach Gary Gold said Major League Rugby (MLR) will help the United States be more competitive at the World Cup in Japan, but conceded we might only see the best of his side in four years’ time.

The U.S. begin their campaign against England on Sept. 26, followed by meetings with France, Argentina and Tonga in Pool C, where they are the lowest ranked team.

South African Gold was assistant coach for the Springboks at the 2011 World Cup and is realistic about his side’s prospects.

However, he believes regular game-time for players in MLR, a nine-team professional domestic championship which started last year, has been a game-changer and will continue to be felt in years to come.

“It is critical, there is no doubt that it was a contributor to our wins over Scotland, Samoa and Canada recently,” Gold told Reuters in a telephone interview.

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